Psychology: Schools of Thought

Cognitive Psychology

Major figures: - Main ideas: challenges behavioralist belief that we shouldn't study mental processes that can't be observed- cognitive psychology looks at how we learn / problem solve / use memory, etc. Make inferences about the processes behind behavior and use new computer sciences to do so. Additional info: adds "mental processes" to the definition of psychology. The newest school of thought in psychology.

Humanistic / Existential Psychology

Major figures: Abraham Maslow (ranks human needs in a hierarchy) Main ideas: personal choice is the most important, emphasizes free will. We can "invent ourselves" (existential). Humans are naturally motivated to be productive, healthy and good (humanistic). Human needs in hierarchy: level 1- food, water, sleep, breathing; level 2- safety (for ourselves / health / property, etc.); level 3- love and belonging; level 4- esteem (confidence, respect, etc.); level 5- self actualization (reaching highest potential for yourself).

Behaviorism

Major figures: Ivan Pavlov (came up with classical conditioning with dog saliva test), John B. Watson (applied classical conditioning to humans with Little Albert), B.F. Skinner (came up with operant conditioning (tasks can be learned though reinforcement) with his pigeons / Skinner Box) Main ideas: Psychologists should only study behaviors because they can be observed and measured. A person's environment / upbringing / surroundings is what shapes them (not individual thinking). We learn and develop fears though conditioning.

Gestalt Psychology

Major figures: Max Wertheimer Main ideas: "the whole is greater than the sum of parts." Studies how humans create perception based on their context / sensory stimuli (or how we put together the pieces of our surroundings / notice patterns to make mental images).

Psychoanalysis

Major figures: Sigmund Freud Main ideas: much of our behavior is determined by unconscious forces and motives (ex: primitive instincts, childhood trauma). Internal battle between unconscious urges (id) and ethical self (superego) is what causes mental problems, which can be helped by therapy. Additional info: Freud is responsible for what we know today as therapy and also contributed several psychological terms to the English language.

Structuralism

Major figures: Wilhelm Wundt (Germany) Main ideas: conscious experience can be broken down into basic units (ex: sensation, emotion, images) and is best understood when written out. Used objective introspection (examining one's thoughts / mental experiences) as a way to uncover these basic units. Overall focus on the mind and consciousness. Additional info: the first school of thought in psychology. Wundt made psychology a real science when he founded structuralism, as he used scientific method in his studies.

Functionalism

Major figures: William James ("father of American psychology," first modern psych textbook) Main ideas: experience is a "fluid stream of consciousness" that can't be broken down like the structuralists say it can. Functionalists believe that psychologists should be studying how humans use information to adapt to their environment and help them function in their daily lives (so psych should be about examining behavior habits). Overall focus on behavior and relation to the mind (still used introspection).